Dental Implants in Pinehurst, NC

What dental implants involve

A dental implant has three parts. The implant post is a small titanium or zirconia screw that sits in the jawbone where the tooth root used to be. The abutment is a connector that attaches to the post above the gumline. The restoration is the part you see: a crown, a bridge or a full denture.

Over a few months, the bone grows tightly around the post. This process, called osseointegration, is what lets an implant handle normal biting force the way a natural tooth does.

Implants have a few advantages over other ways to replace teeth:

• They help preserve the jawbone, which slowly shrinks once a tooth root is gone.
• Neighboring teeth stay untouched. A traditional bridge requires shaping the teeth on either side.
• Nothing comes loose when you eat or talk, and there is no adhesive to manage.

Most patients need one of three options. A single implant with a crown replaces one tooth. An implant-supported bridge uses two implants to replace three or four teeth in a row. Implant dentures use two to six implants to hold a full arch of teeth in place.

Our dentists plan your case from the first visit, coordinate the surgical step, and restore the implant here at our office on Turnberry Way. The crown, bridge or denture is custom made to match your bite and the shade of your natural teeth.

Cost and insurance coverage

Most adults who are missing one or more teeth can have implants. A good candidate usually has:

• Healthy gums, or gum disease that has been treated
• Enough jawbone to support the post, or a willingness to have a bone graft
• Medical conditions such as diabetes under good control
• A commitment to brushing, flossing and regular cleanings

Some situations take extra planning. Smoking slows healing and raises the risk of implant failure, so we ask patients to stop before surgery and during recovery. People who have worn dentures for years, or lost a tooth long ago, often have less bone and may need grafting first. Certain medications, including some osteoporosis drugs, and past radiation to the head or neck also affect the plan.

Age on its own is rarely a barrier. Many of our implant patients are in their 70s and 80s, and implant dentures are one of the most common ways we help older adults eat comfortably again. You can read more about our geriatric dental care. For teens, we wait until the jaw has finished growing.

Your evaluation includes an exam, X-rays and imaging of the jawbone, and a review of your health history. From there, we explain which options fit your mouth and which do not.

Treatment Timeline

Most implant cases take four to nine months from the first visit to the final tooth. Cases that need grafting can take longer. Here is how treatment usually unfolds:

1. Consultation and planning (one visit). We examine your mouth, take imaging and walk through your options and costs in writing.
2. Extraction and grafting, if needed. A damaged tooth is removed and, when bone is thin, a graft is placed. Grafts typically heal for three to four months. Sometimes the implant can go in the same day as the extraction.
3. Implant placement (one appointment). The post is placed under local anesthetic. Most patients return to work within a day or two and manage soreness with over-the-counter pain relievers.
4. Healing (three to six months). The bone bonds to the post. You wear a temporary tooth or denture during this stage, so you are never without teeth in the front of your mouth.
5. Abutment and final restoration (two to three visits). We attach the abutment, take impressions and seat your permanent crown, bridge or denture.

After treatment, implants need the same care as natural teeth: daily brushing and flossing plus cleanings and exams twice a year.

Treatment Timeline

Most implant cases take four to nine months from the first visit to the final tooth. Cases that need grafting can take longer. Here is how treatment usually unfolds:

1. Consultation and planning (one visit). We examine your mouth, take imaging and walk through your options and costs in writing.
2. Extraction and grafting, if needed. A damaged tooth is removed and, when bone is thin, a graft is placed. Grafts typically heal for three to four months. Sometimes the implant can go in the same day as the extraction.
3. Implant placement (one appointment). The post is placed under local anesthetic. Most patients return to work within a day or two and manage soreness with over-the-counter pain relievers.
4. Healing (three to six months). The bone bonds to the post. You wear a temporary tooth or denture during this stage, so you are never without teeth in the front of your mouth.
5. Abutment and final restoration (two to three visits). We attach the abutment, take impressions and seat your permanent crown, bridge or denture.

After treatment, implants need the same care as natural teeth: daily brushing and flossing plus cleanings and exams twice a year.

Implant Dentures

If you are missing most or all of your teeth, or your current denture slips when you eat, implant dentures are often the best fit. They come in two main types.

Snap-on (removable) implant dentures attach to two to four implants with small locator fittings. The denture clicks into place, stays secure while you eat and speak, and comes out at night for cleaning. This option costs less and can sometimes use your existing denture.

Fixed full-arch implant dentures are attached to four to six implants and only come out at our office. They feel the most like natural teeth and cover less of the roof of your mouth, so food tastes the way it should.

With either type, you can eat apples, corn and steak again without worrying about the denture moving. You also skip the adhesive. Because the implants put pressure on the jaw, they help slow the bone loss that makes regular dentures fit worse over time.

We will help you compare both options based on your bone, budget and how you want your teeth to feel day to day.

Frequently asked questions

Does getting a dental implant hurt? The area is fully numbed during placement, so most patients feel pressure but not pain. Afterward, expect a few days of soreness and mild swelling, usually managed with ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

How long do dental implants last? The implant post can last for decades and often for life. The crown on top usually lasts 10 to 15 years or more before it needs replacing, depending on wear and home care.

Can I get an implant years after losing a tooth? Yes. The jawbone may have shrunk since the tooth was lost, so you may need a bone graft first. Imaging at your consultation shows how much bone is available.

What happens if I don’t replace a missing tooth? Neighboring teeth can drift into the gap, the opposing tooth can shift, and the bone where the tooth used to be slowly shrinks. Over time this can change your bite and make future treatment more involved.

Are implants better than a bridge? An implant replaces the tooth without shaping the healthy teeth next to it, and it helps preserve bone. A bridge can be finished faster and may cost less up front. We go over both during your consultation.

Do you see patients from Southern Pines and Aberdeen? Yes. Our office at 155 Turnberry Way in Pinehurst is a short drive from Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Whispering Pines, Carthage and West End.